2 Samuel 12:6

KJV

And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall restore {H7999} the lamb {H3535} fourfold {H706}, because {H6118} he did {H6213} this thing {H1697}, and because {H834} he had no pity {H2550}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For doing such a thing, he has to pay back four times the value of the lamb - and also because he had no pity."

Berean Standard Bible

Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”

American Standard Version

and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 12:6 captures King David's unwitting self-condemnation, as he pronounces a severe judgment upon a hypothetical rich man in Nathan's parable—a judgment that perfectly mirrors the consequences of his own egregious sins against Bathsheba and Uriah. This verse serves as a pivotal moment, revealing David's initial blindness to his own profound moral failure and foreshadowing the painful, multifaceted divine judgment that would soon befall his household due to his lack of pity and grave injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of David's passionate, yet tragically misdirected, outburst of righteous indignation. Immediately preceding it, the prophet Nathan has masterfully recounted a parable (found in [2 Samuel 12:1-4](/2_samuel/12-1 "2 Samuel 12:1-4 - Nathan's Parable of the Ewe Lamb")) about a rich man who, despite possessing vast flocks, cruelly took the sole, beloved lamb of a poor neighbor to feed a guest. David, enraged by this perceived injustice, declares his verdict in [2 Samuel 12:5](/2_samuel/12-5 "2 Samuel 12:5 - David's Righteous Indignation"), proclaiming that "the man that hath done this thing shall surely die." Verse 6 then specifies the additional penalty of fourfold restitution and highlights the man's lack of pity, setting the stage for Nathan's devastating pronouncement in [2 Samuel 12:7](/2_samuel/12-7 "2 Samuel 12:7 - Nathan's Accusation: 'Thou Art the Man'"), "Thou art the man." Thus, David's words here are not merely a legal judgment but a profound act of self-indictment, demonstrating his initial spiritual blindness to his own sin, which involved the taking of Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (as detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's pronouncement of fourfold restitution aligns directly with the Mosaic Law concerning theft. Specifically, [Exodus 22:1](/exodus/22-1 "Exodus 22:1 - Law of Restitution for Theft") stipulates that "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep." David, as king, would have been expected to uphold and administer this law, and his immediate recourse to it demonstrates his familiarity with its principles. The severity of the "fourfold" restitution, coupled with the death penalty he also pronounced, underscores the gravity of violating property rights and, by extension, human life and dignity within ancient Israelite society. The concept of "pity" or "compassion" was also deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of justice and righteousness, often linked to the character of God himself (e.g., [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion")). David's failure to show pity for Uriah, a loyal soldier, intensified the heinousness of his actions in the eyes of God and the community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **divine justice and restitution**, demonstrating that even a king is subject to God's righteous standards and the consequences of sin, often mirroring the very principles of justice he is meant to uphold. The specific mention of "fourfold" restitution foreshadows the multifaceted and severe judgments that would befall David's own house, including the death of his son, the defilement of his concubines, and the rebellion of Absalom (as foretold in [2 Samuel 12:10-12](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-12 - Nathan's Prophecy of Judgment")). Furthermore, the phrase "because he had no pity" underscores the critical theme of **compassion and empathy** in God's law, contrasting sharply with David's callous disregard for Uriah's life and Bathsheba's dignity. Most profoundly, the verse illustrates the theme of **self-condemnation**, where David's righteous indignation against another's perceived injustice serves as a mirror reflecting his own far greater transgression, revealing the human tendency towards hypocrisy and the blindness that sin can induce.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fourfold (Hebrew, _'arba'tayim'_):** This term precisely indicates a restitution of four times the value of the stolen item. In the context of ancient Israelite law (e.g., [Exodus 22:1](/exodus/22-1 "Exodus 22:1 - Law of Fourfold Restitution")), it was a specific legal penalty for the theft of a sheep, particularly when the animal was killed or sold, indicating a higher degree of culpability than simple theft where the animal was found alive. David's spontaneous declaration of this specific penalty reveals his deep familiarity with the law and his immediate, unthinking application of it to the parable, unknowingly invoking it upon himself.
* **No Pity (Hebrew, _lo chamal'_):** This phrase signifies a complete absence of compassion, mercy, or sparing. It describes a cold, hard-hearted disposition that acts without regard for the suffering or vulnerability of others. In the narrative, it highlights the moral depravity of the rich man in the parable and, by extension, David himself, who acted with utter disregard for Uriah's loyalty and life, and Bathsheba's vulnerability. This lack of pity is presented as a significant aggravating factor in the severity of the sin, demonstrating not just a transgression of law but a failure of fundamental human and divine compassion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall restore the lamb fourfold":** This clause pronounces the specific legal penalty David believed the rich man deserved. The "fourfold" restitution is a direct reference to the Mosaic Law for the theft of a sheep, indicating the severity of the perceived crime. In the context of the narrative, this becomes David's own self-pronounced sentence, as his actions against Uriah and Bathsheba were a far greater violation than mere theft. The consequences David would face—the death of his son, the public defilement of his concubines, Absalom's rebellion and death—would indeed be a "fourfold" repayment in terms of personal and familial devastation.
* **"because he did this thing":** This phrase serves as the justification for the pronounced penalty, pointing to the specific act of injustice committed by the rich man in the parable. It refers to the taking of the poor man's single, beloved lamb, which represented his entire livelihood and emotional attachment. For David, "this thing" implicitly refers to his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah, acts of profound injustice and abuse of power.
* **"and because he had no pity":** This final clause adds a crucial moral dimension to the judgment. It emphasizes that the rich man's actions were not merely a legal transgression but were carried out with a callous disregard for the victim's welfare. This lack of compassion elevates the offense from a simple crime to a severe moral failing. In David's case, his lack of pity for Uriah, a loyal soldier, and for Bathsheba, whom he exploited, underscored the depth of his sin and his spiritual blindness.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Samuel 12:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** is paramount, as David, the king and dispenser of justice, unknowingly condemns himself. His passionate outrage at the rich man's injustice stands in stark contrast to his own egregious and unrepentant sin, creating a powerful moment of dramatic irony for the reader. The entire exchange is built upon **Parable**, where Nathan uses a relatable, everyday scenario to expose a deeper, more profound truth about David's actions, allowing David to judge himself before the direct accusation. This technique allows for a gradual revelation and maximizes the shock of recognition. Furthermore, the verse contains elements of **Foreshadowing**. David's pronouncement of "fourfold" restitution, while rooted in Mosaic law, subtly foreshadows the multiple and severe consequences that would indeed befall his own household as divine judgment for his sins, extending far beyond a simple monetary penalty to include death, familial strife, and public shame.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that sin, especially when committed with a lack of compassion and an abuse of power, carries severe consequences, even for those in positions of authority. David's self-condemnation highlights the human tendency to judge others harshly while remaining blind to one's own greater faults, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the vulnerable, and His expectation that His leaders embody compassion and righteousness. The "fourfold" restitution points to the comprehensive nature of divine judgment, which often mirrors the character of the offense.

* [Exodus 22:1](/exodus/22-1 "Exodus 22:1 - Law of Fourfold Restitution for Theft"): Provides the legal basis for David's "fourfold" pronouncement, demonstrating his familiarity with the Mosaic Law and the irony of his self-condemnation.
* [James 2:13](/james/2-13 "James 2:13 - Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment"): Emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion, contrasting with the "no pity" aspect of David's sin and highlighting a core biblical value.
* [Romans 2:1-3](/romans/2-1 "Romans 2:1-3 - Judging Others While Guilty Yourself"): Directly addresses the hypocrisy of judging others for sins of which one is also guilty, providing a New Testament parallel to David's self-condemnation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's unwitting self-condemnation in 2 Samuel 12:6 serves as a powerful and enduring cautionary tale for all believers. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that we are often quick to identify and condemn injustice in others, while remaining stubbornly blind to the planks in our own eyes. This narrative calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to cultivate genuine humility and to allow God's Word, like Nathan's parable, to expose the hidden corners of our hearts. Furthermore, the emphasis on "no pity" reminds us that God is not only concerned with our actions but also with the heart attitude behind them. True righteousness involves not just adherence to rules but a deep wellspring of compassion and empathy for others, especially the vulnerable. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character, which is abundant in mercy and slow to anger, actively seeking justice for the oppressed and extending grace where it is due, rather than operating from a place of callous indifference or self-righteous judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be quick to judge others while overlooking my own similar or greater faults?**
* **How does the "lack of pity" in this story challenge me to examine my own level of compassion and empathy towards those around me, particularly the vulnerable?**
* **What "planks" in my own eye might God be trying to reveal to me through His Word or through the words of others?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more attuned to God's justice and mercy, and less prone to hypocrisy?**

### FAQ

**Why did David declare "fourfold" restitution, and what is its significance?**

Answer: David's declaration of "fourfold" restitution (Hebrew: _'arba'tayim'_) directly reflects a specific provision in the Mosaic Law found in [Exodus 22:1](/exodus/22-1 "Exodus 22:1 - Law of Restitution for Theft"), which states, "If a man shall steal... a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore... four sheep for a sheep." This law was designed to provide severe consequences for certain types of theft, particularly when the stolen animal was no longer recoverable. Its significance in [2 Samuel 12:6](/2_samuel/12-6 "2 Samuel 12:6 - David's Self-Condemnation") is profoundly ironic: David, as king, was expected to uphold this very law, and in his righteous indignation over the rich man's actions, he unknowingly pronounces the exact legal penalty that would, in a spiritual and familial sense, be exacted upon his own household due to his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. The "fourfold" judgment foreshadows the tragic, multi-faceted consequences David would face, including the death of his son, the public shame of his concubines, and the rebellion and death of Absalom (as detailed in [2 Samuel 12:10-12](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-12 - Nathan's Prophecy of Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Samuel 12:6, with its themes of sin, judgment, and the lack of pity, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. David's pronouncement of "fourfold" restitution for a stolen lamb, stemming from a lack of pity, ultimately points to the ultimate [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the rich man who had no pity, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, demonstrates infinite compassion, laying down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")). While David's sin incurred a "fourfold" consequence, Jesus, in His perfect obedience, bore the full, infinite weight of humanity's sin and its consequences on the cross, offering a complete and final restitution for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The irony of David's self-condemnation highlights humanity's inherent inability to perfectly uphold God's law and our need for a perfect mediator. Jesus, however, perfectly fulfilled the law and, rather than condemning us for our lack of pity and our transgressions, offers mercy and forgiveness, triumphing over judgment through His sacrificial love ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is the one who truly had pity on humanity, entering into our suffering to redeem us from the consequences of our own "no pity" hearts.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 22:1

¶ If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Proverbs 6:31

But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

Luke 19:8

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold.

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.